Donald Trump is popular with both golfers and hunters, so it’s no surprise to see the world’s 19th-ranked player Sam Burns sporting a MAGA hat after taking down a nine-point buck.
‘Deer hunting is great again!’ the 28-year-old Shreveport, Louisiana native wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the massive stag he presumably shot and killed.
The post divided the public, but not because of his two references to the President-elect.
Rather, some online commenters delighted in his successful hunt, while many others vilified Burns for taking the animal’s life.
‘I hope Sam 3 putts every green this year the sad w*****,’ one person wrote on X.
‘Deer hunting ain’t it,’ another added.
Sam Burns posted a shot of his nine-point buck with the caption: ‘Deer hunting is great again!’
A five-time winner, Burns has made 110 of 157 cuts in his career en route to 36 top-10 finishes
One person questioned the fairness hunting: ‘It would be a sport if the deer had guns.’
Several kept their reactions to one word: ‘Disgusting.’
But many, many more responders celebrated Burns for his hobby and his massive kill.
‘That’s a big buck!!’ one fan wrote, echoing a comment from several others. ‘Nice Burns!’
One account with the handle @HonestAbe sees the post as proof that ‘golfers are the best athletes in the world.’
His fellow golfers did not seem to take much offense, with PGA Tour pros Rickie Fowler and Billy Horschel both liking it.
Nick Dunlap, who won his first tournament on the PGA Tour as an amateur earlier this year, commented: ‘Where does one get such a hat?’
Burns hails from northwest Louisiana, where the ongoing hunting season extends through the end of January.
Burns poses with his wife Caroline at this year’s Presidents Cup, which the USA won easily
Burns holds his son Bear in an adorable Halloween snap at the end of last month
Burns was not embraced by all after killing his nine-point buck, as seen in this post on X
Many, many more responders celebrated Burns for his hobby and his massive kill
He is just the latest pro athlete to show public support for Trump since his electoral victory over Kamala Harris on November 5. In just the last few days, UFC fighter Jon Jones, US soccer star Christian Pulisic, and a handful of NFL players have all incorporated Trump’s notorious campaign rally dance into various celebrations.
‘A big, big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight,’ Jones said after his knockout win on Saturday in New York before performing Trump’s step-less, arm-jerking stage dance.
A five-time tour winner, Burns has made 110 of 157 cuts in his career en route to 36 top-10 finishes. The self-identified Christian has a wife named Caroline and a son, Bear.
He made news during the 2024 season by snapping a club in frustration at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Burns then picked up the head of his driver, flipped it to his caddie and continued.
He’d go on to shoot a double bogey on the 446-yard, par-four hole.